Remember when you were a child and your parents read to you each night? With the simple power of inflection, you could be transported to a magical forest to see wild things or journey to the moon and back.

Now, imagine if that story was read by a professional actor.

When done well, storytelling can be as powerful as — if not more than — a play, television show, or film. The recipient is an active participant who must be fully engaged to follow the story line, creating a picture in their mind to understand the story as it unfolds. And the beauty of storytelling is that each listener shapes a unique vision, which can lead to spirited conversations.

In 2000, a group of Denver locals gathered with a simple idea — to bring stories to life. Within a year, Stories on Stage was incorporated as a non-profit organization by Producing Artistic Director Norma Moore. And now, in 2025, it celebrates its 25^th anniversary under the leadership of Executive Director Abbe Stutsman and Artistic Director Anthony Powell.

As Powell describes it, Stories on Stage is like “Selected Shorts on NPR — super-talented actors performing works of short fiction.” Literature, theatre, comedy, drama — all thought-provoking stories read by professional actors. It’s like the best bedtime story ever…plus applause.

“Those of us lucky enough to be read to when we were young still really enjoy it as grownups. There’s something so wonderful about turning an essentially solitary activity like reading into a shared experience between actor and audience. Our readers bring stories to life onstage, playing many different characters, and highlighting all the humor and emotion of each piece they perform.”
— Anthony Powell, Artistic Director of Stories on Stage

Stories on Stage clearly resonates with local audiences, which is due in large part to its storytellers, and they have tapped into the best of the best from the Colorado community, including many faces familiar to Denver Center audiences. Crossover actors who have been cast in DCPA productions this season alone include Noelia Antweiler (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Diana Dresser (Sweet & Lucky: Echo), Abner Genece (Sweet & Lucky: Echo), Jim Hunt (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Geoffrey Kent (A Christmas Carol), Leslie O’Carroll (Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors), Adriane Leigh Robinson (Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors), Marco Robinson (Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors), Mark Rubald (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Gareth Saxe (Godspeed), and Sean Scrutchins (Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors).

Additionally, long-time Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) patrons will remember such names as Kathleen Brady, John Hutton, and Jamie Horton, the latter of whom is cast in Stories on Stage’s Merry Makers this December. In fact, Artistic Director Anthony Powell himself once acted on DCTC stages and now directs the annual production of A Christmas Carol. It’s practically a DCPA homecoming!

“Denver boasts an absolutely stellar local acting community,” enthused Powell, “so no matter what kind of story I’m trying to find the right reader for, I can do so with ease. Stories on Stage has become a showcase for local talent.”

Stories on Stage reprises its popular holiday show this year December 12-14 in Arvada, Boulder, and Denver. “Making Merry is our annual holiday show at Stories on Stage,” explained Powell, “featuring stories and songs of the season performed by terrific actors. This year, Jamie Horton will be joined by GerRee Hinshaw, and Neyla Pekarek, (a founding member of The Lumineers), accompanied by Dan Graeber on piano.

Plus, “what we do is essentially ‘story-time for grownups,’ we serve free milk and cookies out in the lobby after every show.”

So cozy up for a show sure to complement your holidays, then make a resolution to catch more Stories on Stage in the new year, including:

Masters of the Short Story

Jan 10 at 2pm at Nomad Theatre in Boulder
Jan 11 at 2pm at Su Teatro in Denver
Classic tales from celebrated authors.

Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra and Stories on Stage

Feb 14 at 7:30pm at Parson’s Theater in Northglenn
A celebration of love told through song, rhythm, and stories. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling, celebrating the beauty of love through timeless melodies and heartfelt tales.

Chock Full of Nuts – Buntport Collaboration

Feb 15 at 2pm at Su Teatro in Denver
That zany Buntport gang is back with a very funny look at the cray-cray in all of us.

Wild Women: Hear Us Roar!

Mar 14 at 7pm at Nomad Theater in Boulder
Mar 15 at 2pm at Su Teatro in Denver
Wild, empowering stories and songs by fabulous women.

Colorado Writers Showcase

Apr 19 at 2pm at Su Teatro in Denver
Engrossing stories by gifted local authors.

Stories on Stage Greatest Hits!

May 3 at 2pm at Su Teatro
Some of your favorite stories from our last 25 years!

Performances take place throughout the area, so be sure to check the website for details.